Functional yoghurts, fruit jellies and circular innovation took centre stage as EXCEL4MED demonstrated how Mediterranean fruit by-products can become nutritious foods with real potential for the agri-food sector
On 1-2 July 2026, EXCEL4MED took part in the 16th National ECOTROPHELIA Competition in Athens, one of Greece’s leading events promoting innovation in the food sector.
Organised by our partner SEVT – Federation of Hellenic Food Industries, the competition welcomed 13 student teams presenting innovative food concepts that reflect the next generation of food innovation.
As part of the Product Exhibition, EXCEL4MED presented its research through a dedicated stand, where visitors discovered how agricultural by-products can be transformed into nutritious, sustainable and appealing food products.
The EXCEL4MED stand was jointly hosted by SEVT, together with our coordinator, Assoc. Prof. Vasilis Valdramidis (the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens), and project partners from ELGO-DIMITRA, Smart Agro Hub, EKPIZO and the University of Malta.
Innovation you could see… and taste
At the EXCEL4MED exhibition stand, visitors discovered that ingredients often considered waste can have a second life as valuable food resources.
The project’s functional yoghurts and jellies, developed using bioactive compounds recovered from orange peels, attracted considerable interest throughout the exhibition.
More than simply displaying the prototypes, the project team invited visitors to taste them, opening conversations about how science is helping transform Mediterranean fruit by-products into nutritious, appealing and sustainable food products.
Project banners displayed across the exhibition also introduced attendees to EXCEL4MED’s broader ambition: demonstrating that circularity can become an opportunity for innovation across the agri-food sector.
Rethinking what we throw away
Every year, large quantities of pomegranate and citrus by-products, including peels and seeds, remain underused despite being naturally rich in valuable compounds.
EXCEL4MED is exploring environmentally friendly extraction technologies capable of recovering these bioactive ingredients and incorporating them into new food products.
Rich in antioxidants, phenolic compounds and vitamin C, these natural extracts can enhance nutritional value while contributing to lower food waste and a reduced environmental footprint.
The project is also evaluating innovative green technologies that reduce the natural sugar content of fruit juices, opening new possibilities for foods with improved nutritional profiles without compromising flavour or quality.
Events such as ECOTROPHELIA provide EXCEL4MED a significant opportunity to engage with students, researchers, food companies and consumers, fostering dialogue on the future of sustainable food innovation.
